EarthScope Geochronology Graduate Student Award Program

The EarthScope Geochronology Graduate Student Award Program is a new initiative designed to promote interdisciplinary and innovative science by fostering new relationships between graduate students, scientists, and labs at different institutions, while simultaneously equipping the next generation of Earth scientists with an understanding of modern geochronology tools that are profoundly important for conducting modern geoscience research. The program provides support to generate key, high-quality datasets for publications of mutual benefit to students, advisors, and labs. The projects and new collaborations enabled by this program will provide excellent foundations for future proposals and the kinds of multidisciplinary research efforts that lead to great science.

The program enables graduate students at United States institutions to apply for up to $10,000 to fund analytical costs, sample preparation, travel to the host lab, lodging, and other expenses for a project that advances some aspects of EarthScope science goals. We expect the typical award to be ~$8500. These funds allow the student to visit the lab for a week or more, participate in the analysis and sample preparation, and learn fundamental aspects of the methods, techniques, and theory used in modern analytical facilities. Students can apply for funds to use whichever method is most appropriate for their proposed research project, including, but not limited to, U-Pb, 40Ar/39Ar, Lu-Hf, Sm-Nd, Rb-Sr, U-series, fission-track, (U-Th)/He, 14C, cosmogenic exposure, and luminescence dating. Any lab in the United States or its territories can participate. Students who are writing proposals are responsible for initiating contact with geochronology lab staff to discuss their project, timelines, and why this particular technique will help address the fundamental questions in their research proposal. If the lab director feels that this is a mutually beneficial opportunity, the lab will provide a support letter and help the student refine and clarify their proposed research.

Funds are currently available to support 7-8 projects for each of the next two years (2015 & 2016 application cycles).

The First Award Program Deadline:March 16, 2015

Becoming A Participating Lab:

Any lab in the United States or its territories can become a participating lab at any point in the program by providing a brief (1-2 page) written summary that describes the research and learning experiences a student should expect when visiting the lab. The lab name, contact information, and the lab plan will be posted on the Lab Database page to help students connect with potential host facilities. Additional information and example written plans for labs is provided here: http://earthscope.org/science/geochronology/lab-information